Team Stats

Hitting %

Blocks

Digs

Aces

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The No. 12
Gauchos started off their four match homestand with a thud on
Tuesday night, falling to the unranked Princeton Tigers in four
games (29-27, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23) at Rob Gym.

UCSB — losers of five straight — falls to 3-6
overall, while Princeton moves to 1-0 in their first season opening
win since 2001. It was also their first win over a ranked opponent
since 2008.

The Gauchos entered the match with a 20-6 record against EIVA
(Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) teams and 5-0
against Ivy League opponents. The loss represented UCSB's first
loss to an EIVA team since Mar. 2011, their first loss ever against
a non-Penn State EIVA member, and their first loss ever against an
Ivy League opponent.

Senior middle blocker Dylan
Davis led the way on both sides of the ball for the Gauchos,
finishing with team highs in kills (8), hitting percentage (.727)
and blocks (7). Dylan was only able to get in 11 swings throughout
the match, but he was highly efficient on the attack and ever
moreso on the block.

Junior libero Chad Kingi
did an admirable defensive job, picking up a match high 13 digs,
one off his career high.

The Tigers were led by Pat Schwagler, who had a match-high 19
kills. Cody Kessel and Devin Stearns (14 kills apiece) joined
Schwagler in double-digits, while Kessel and Will Siroky each
contributed seven blocks in an impressive team effort.

"It was a disappointing loss for sure," said UCSB head coach
Rick McLaughlin. "But we're going to turn around and get right back
at it tomorrow night."

The road does not get much easier, as they will face reigning
NCAA champions UC Irvine tomorrow night at 7 p.m. They will
conclude the week with a Friday night matchup against UC San
Diego.